Key Takeaways
- TRAI has issued a consultation paper requesting stakeholder input on the sale of foreign SIMs/eSIMs in India for M2M and IoT devices aimed at export.
- The initiative aims to identify regulatory challenges and explore potential new service authorizations under existing telecommunications policies.
- Indian manufacturers have sought access to foreign SIMs to ensure their exported devices can function on international networks immediately.
TRAI Seeks Input on Foreign SIMs for Indian Export Devices
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper to gather feedback on the use and sale of foreign telecom service providers’ SIMs and eSIMs in India. The primary focus is on integrating these technologies into machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) devices designed for export.
The consultation aims to explore whether new service authorizations are needed under the Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) policy framework to facilitate the sale of foreign SIMs/eSIMs in India. Additionally, the paper highlights the need to identify potential regulatory issues that could arise, particularly concerning the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Customs, or other agencies. These concerns pertain to the export of Indian telecom providers’ M2M SIMs/eSIMs, especially in scenarios where devices utilizing Indian SIMs are deployed internationally.
TRAI has called for input on several aspects of the proposed framework, including the terms and conditions for service provision, eligibility requirements, applicable fees, and the validity of foreign SIMs/eSIMs in M2M and IoT applications.
This initiative from TRAI comes in response to requests from Indian manufacturers exporting IoT and M2M devices to foreign markets. These manufacturers are advocating for the availability of foreign SIMs within India to facilitate seamless integration into their products before they are sent abroad. Such measures would allow exported devices to connect to foreign networks immediately upon arrival.
The Department of Telecommunications has also received multiple requests for provisions under its No Objection Certificate (NOC) policy, seeking to allow the sale of foreign operators’ SIMs/eSIMs in India specifically for these use cases. TRAI’s consultation aims to address these requests and refine policy frameworks to support the growing IoT ecosystem while ensuring regulatory compliance.
The outcome of this consultation could significantly impact how Indian manufacturers design and export their IoT devices and enhance connectivity capabilities on international networks. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide their perspectives to aid in crafting a balanced and effective regulatory approach.
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